reviews July 25, 2013

The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner

The Tudor Secret (The Spymaster Chronicles 1) by C.W. Gortner

Summer 1553: A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king’s brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth’s protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past.

A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth’s quest to unravel the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder. Filled with the intrigue and pageantry of Tudor England, The Tudor Secret is the first book in The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles. (Goodreads)

Brendan Prescott was abandoned as a baby and he was brought up in the Dudley family. Living with the Dudley boys isn’t always easy and they makes sure that Brendan knows he’s just a foundling. When he’s 20 he is brought to court to be squire to Robert Dudley. Soon an errand for Robert takes Brendan to meet Princess Elizabeth. She makes quite an impression and soon Brendan finds that making Elizabeth safe doesn’t go well with serving the Dudleys. It doesn’t take long for him to come to the attention of William Cecil and finds himself to be a spy in exchange to learn who he is.

I truly enjoyed this and almost read it in a day. I adored Brendan and I loved watching how he grows from the quite innocent boy to more mature and intelligent young man. Living in the court isn’t always easy and you find yourself growing tougher.

I also loved Peregrin and it was great that Brendan found someone to watch he’s back.Robert was vain, short tempered and kind of a bully but it was refreshing to see that side of him. He certainly had ambition. I loved how Elizabeth was portrayed and how she came through as a person and friend.

While the book takes certain liberties and I admit having a thing for historical accurancies, I didn’t have problems with this one. It’s mystery and not straight historical novel and it’s stated in the author’s notes.

Great book and it seems you can never go wrong with Gortner and I can’t wait for the next book in the serie!

4/5
Published: St. Martin’s Griffin (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 327
Source: publisher

reviews July 25, 2013

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen (Fallen 1) by Lauren Kate

Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history. It’s only when she sees Daniel that her life looks a little better. But Daniel has a secret which will put their lives in danger… (Goodreads)

Luce was in a fire where her boyfriend died and she gets shipped to a new school for troubled kids. On her first day there Luce sees Daniel and she gets the feeling they’ve met before but he makes it clear he doesn’t want anything to do with her. And then there’s this other guy who wants her…

I really wanted to like this more. I mean with this gorgeous cover you would hope the book lives up to it. And it made me sad that it didn’t and kept waiting it to get better which never happened.

Luce was ok but when she was near Daniel or Cam I just wanted to slap her.I mean I get she’s swooning for them but really… With back cover saying it’s the “ultimate love story” I was expecting some sparks. But I didn’t feel anything between Luce and Daniel. He spends nearly whole book running away from her and telling he doesn’t want her stalking and harassing him. He made it so clear and yet she she can’t let it go and goes into stalker mode. If I was being mean I’d called that pathetic. I couldn’t feel anything between them.

And then there’s Cam who’s supposed to be this charming, popular guy and of course he seems to know always how Luce feels and what she wants. They just gave me the creeps. Plain and clear. He gave me the feeling that he was 50+ old slimey guy after teenager. But maybe that’s just me.

And there wan’t lot going on. I kept waiting something to happen and when we learn about flallen angels I thought finally! But that didn’t really go anywhere and all we hear is that Luce can’t hear everything at once because it’s such a shock. Really?! At the ned there is a battle but we don’t see it so it kinda fell flat too.

Of course the school is supposed to be highly secured place where some wearstracking bracelets but still people just seems to sneak around when they feel like it.

In the end I felt there was too much telling and too little showing. But I’m saying again that I loved the cover.

2/5
Published: Doubleday (2009)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 452
Source: my own

reviews July 25, 2013

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graceling (Graceling Realm 1) by Kristin Cashore

In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are both feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing.

Feared by the court and shunned by those her own age, the darkness of her Grace casts a heavy shadow over Katsa’s life. Yet she remains defiant: when the King of Lienid’s father is kidnapped she investigates, and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap the old man, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced man whose fighting abilities rivalled her own?

The only thing Katsa is sure of is that she no longer wants to kill. The intrigue around this kidnapping offers her a way out – but little does she realise, when she takes it, that something insidious and dark lurks behind the mystery. Something spreading from the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king… (Goodreads)

When Katsa was 8 year old she accidently kills her cousin and she learns that she has the Grace of killing. Her uncle King Randa uses her to punish everyone who displeases him and Katsa learns to hate him for this. Katsa organizes a Council that tries to help people and it is the Coucil’s job to rescue the King of Lienid’s father whe he’s kidnapped. While on the rescue Katsa meets another Graceling with matching fighting skill who turns out to be Prince Po of Lienid and looking for his missing grandfather.

I have some mixed feelings about this one. I enjoyed it but I’m still having problems writing my feelings about it.

I liked Katsa, she was tough and nice but I felt that I was supposed to be more scared of her than I was. And at times she was more childish than 10 year old Bitterblue who acts much older than her age. And if you can’t feel pain then why make such a huge thing about hairpins digging into scalp?

But I liked Po (what kind of name is that?) and Raffin. Po was so cute and fun and loved the way he understood Katsa.

It wasn’t bad and I liked it but guess I was again expecting something more. I have Fire also so I’m curious to see how that one goes.

3/5
Published: Gollancz (2009)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 371
Source: my own

reviews July 25, 2013

By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan

By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan

Luis de Santángel, chancellor to the court and longtime friend of the lusty King Ferdinand, has had enough of the Spanish Inquisition. As the power of Inquisitor General Tomás de Torquemada grows, so does the brutality of the Spanish church and the suspicion and paranoia it inspires. When a dear friend’s demise brings the violence close to home, Santángel is enraged and takes retribution into his own hands.  But he is from a family of conversos, and his Jewish heritage makes him an easy target. As Santángel witnesses the horrific persecution of his loved ones, he begins slowly to reconnect with the Jewish faith his family left behind. Feeding his curiosity about his past is his growing love for Judith Migdal, a clever and beautiful Jewish woman navigating the mounting tensions in Granada. While he struggles to decide what his reputation is worth and what he can sacrifice, one man offers him a chance he thought he’d lost…the chance to hope for a better world. Christopher Columbus has plans to discover a route to paradise, and only Luis de Santángel can help him. (publisher)

Luis de Santángel is chancellor to King Fernando (Ferdinand) of Aragon but he is also a third generation Christian, converso, but when the Spanish Inquisition starts in full force it’s not safe to have Jewish connections. At the same time Luis grows curious about his Jewish heritage and starts to see theologian in secret but soon catches the eyes of inquisitor and soon finds out that he or his family isn’t safe.

We also hear the story of Judith, a Jewish silversmith, who catches Luis’ eyes. Luis falls in love with her but is he willing to give up everything for her?

I’m not very familiar with Spanish Inquisition or Jewish religion and the little I know about Inquisition comes from reading Katherine of Aragon’s childhood. It is not a pleasant subject giving the worst example of humanity but it’s fascinating in a horrible way.

By Fire, By Water is certainly very thought provoking and well researched. While the books has lot of religious themes and has theological discussions it manages to not sound preachy.

It’s not action packed but gives one man’s journey while trying to find who he is and remaining true to himself.

The only minor problem I had was with the time. I wish it would have been stated better how much time had went on or mentioned on what year was going on.

What a great debut from Kaplan! I truly enjoyed this and couldn’t put it down.Can’t wait to read more from this author!

5/5
Published: Other Press (2010)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 284
Source: from author for review

reviews July 25, 2013

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush 1) by Becca Fitzpatrick

A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey’s the plan. She’s never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can’t decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen – and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life. (Goodreads)

Nora Grey’s life changes when she gets new lab partner, Patch. She can’t stand him and at the same time is afraid of him. Her suggestion of a new partner is turned down and eventually she starts have major crush on him. But then stuff starts to happen and it seems Patch might be behind them.

There was some hype about this some time ago and witch such a great cover I just had to try it too. And I’m little surprised how much I liked this! Not great and had it’s falts but I did enjoy it.

Wasn’t huge fan of Nora herself. Bit boring and too naive, or should I say too teen? After she nearly runs ove a guy, her house is burned, nearly shot to death etc. absolutely never tell your parents, police or any adult because that would be stupid. Instead go to this huge investigating mode and speaking of that, the bar scene with wigs and all was so stupid. Seriously, when you are trying to find out about a guy you think is behind trying to kill you maybe your questions shouldn’t be:

“Do you know if Patch has ever had any restraining orders?
Does he have a history of stalking?
Does he have a girlfriend?”

But of course she can’t help but be in love with this mysterious guy! Whatever…

I found this kinda hilarious. When she sees Patch’s scars her first though is: “He must be fallen angel!” Seriously?? That’s your first thought? I have to remember this when I next time see someone with scars…
And naturally when she googles fallen angel the first page up is what se needs. Why this never happens to me?

But I liked Patch. I thought he was funny and I liked his sense of humor. I liked the idea of fallen angel and I wanted to learn more of his background.

For YA novel with such hype this was really good since I don’t usually like those. And good enough for me to read the next book.

3,5/5
Published: Simon and Schuster (2009)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 391
Source: my own